Battin declares for Ruidoso mayor

Former Lincoln County Commission chairman says he will foster teamwork

By Dianne Stallings

dstallings@ruidosonews.com @RuidosoNews on Twitter

Posted:
12/17/2013 09:18:30 AM MST

The race for Ruidoso mayor seems to be shaping up as an interesting battle in the nonpartisan municipal election March 4.

Two current councilors have indicated their interest in running and Monday, former Lincoln County Commission Chairman Tom Battin announced his candidacy for the four-year post.

The seats held by Rafael "Rifle" Salas and Denise Dean are up for election, as well as the vacant position created by the resignation of Jim Stoddard as councilor several months ago when he moved to Tennessee. Salas and Dean both have been mentioned as potential mayoral candidates, and Salas has picked up a candidate packet.

Mayor Ray Alborn, who is not seeking reelection, submitted Battin's name twice to fill Stoddard's empty seat, but it was rejected both times in votes of 3-2. Alborn is moving to Houston, Texas. Ruidoso mayors historically only serve one term.

Battin is a retired banker and longtime Ruidoso civic leader, who served two terms on the Lincoln County Commission and several years as its chairman.

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"Ruidoso is indeed a unique community," he said in his announcement. "Its populace is a blend of old timers, more recent citizens, whose vacations led to permanent residence, retirees who have made the village their home, and younger people, who find our town an excellent place to raise their children, The glue that holds us together is a common goal to develop our community so that our people have gainful employment, a thriving community, a safe environment and a foundation of ample infrastructure. There are, no doubt, many differing opinions on how to achieve those objectives. With cool heads and a spirit of cooperation, we can inspire leadership to point the direction toward achieving these goals, I believe my Ruidoso record demonstrates I can contribute toward an atmosphere of teamwork, not turmoil."

A resident since 1991 and a visitor to Ruidoso since the age of six, Battin retired several years ago from his position as chairman of State National Bank, now Compass Bank, and continued his involvement with community service.

He headed up development efforts for the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts and has been a major factor in the development of the Lincoln County Medical Center, serving on its community board of directors. He is an active member of the Church of the Nazarene and is a former officer in the U.S. Navy.

County Attorney Alan Morel is quoted in Battin's announcement as saying, that over two decades as attorney to the commission, he found Battin to be one of the best commissioners.

"Tom brought a sense of fair play to the game," Morel said. "He listened to all sides and made decisions based on merit, didn't favor special interests and was truly a leader whose total motivation was driven by what was best for the people of Lincoln County."

In recent years, Battin worked as a community service consultant at Sierra Blanca Motors.

"The village of Ruidoso, its residents, its dedicated village employees and its leadership provide a solid basis for continued progress," Battin said. "I want to join and contribute to that overall effort."

Ruidoso election in March

Ruidoso voters will be electing a mayor and three village councilors on March 4. The terms run four years and the election is nonpartisan.

Councilors are elected at-large and are paid $500 per month, as is the mayor. They meet in regular sessions at 3 p.m. on the second and last Tuesday of each month. They also may call special or emergency meetings and workshops.

To become a candidate, a resident of the village must sign up between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Jan. 7, in the village clerk's office at the Ruidoso Administration Center, 313 Cree Meadows Drive. They must turn in a declaration of candidacy, which will be supplied by the clerk, and a certificate of voter registration from the Lincoln County Clerk. No fee is charged to run for office and campaign finance reports are not required.

The mayor's duties include overseeing the meetings, although the mayor only votes to break ties. The mayor is responsible for appointing the village manager, the police chief and village clerk, with the consent of the council. The mayor can fill vacancies on the council, if the appointment is ratified by the majority. He submits names for appointments to various advisory boards.

Councilors formulate and approve policy for the village and approve an annual budget. They also vote on zoning issues, proposed new laws/ordinances and authorize village projects.

If not already a registered county voter, to be eligible to participate in the village election, a person must live within its boundaries and register to vote with the county clerk in Carrizozo no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 4.